FFC: Over 90 percent of water vending machines are unhygienic

The Foundation for Consumers has urged the City Administration to shut down the operations of many water vending machines in Bangkok, alleging that they were not registered and are unhygienic.

Ms Monrudee Po-in an official of the foundation, said Monday (April 30) that the foundation in cooperation with other consumer protection groups conducted an inspection of 855 water vending machines in 18 districts of Bangkok in 2015 and found out that 91.75 percent of them were located at improper spots such as in places which are full of dust, on sidewalk, close to drainage system or garbage dumps infested with flies or cockroaches.

Another survey was conducted last year and this time it covered altogether 50 districts, she said, adding that it was discovered that the problem was still there unrectified, with 90 percent of the water vending machines not legally registered.

Again, the City Administration was informed by the foundation about the problem with recommendations proposed, but without any response or action from the authorities concerned to rectify the problem.

The foundation has sought a meeting with Bangkok governor to raise the issue so it could be resolved for the safety of consumers.

One of the proposals of the foundation is for all the operators of water vending machines to register with officials at their respective districts and that the machines must be subjected to periodical inspection to make sure that they meet safety standard.

How do we register theses machines? I set one up but the company didn't talk about registration. However we make sure that the filters are changed on time and show it on a schedule displayed on the machine itself for marketing purposes

the thing is sitting on the street taking in tap water from what ever city or province it is in. No maintenance on the filters as long as the coins drop. What did you expect? . Not really sure there is a water mafia at the rates they are charging. Bring your old dirty bottle as well to fill up.

the thing is sitting on the street taking in tap water from what ever city or province it is in. No maintenance on the filters as long as the coins drop. What did you expect? . Not really sure there is a water mafia at the rates they are charging. Bring your old dirty bottle as well to fill up.

Out in the boonies, regular [and extremely reasonable] private water "delivery" has been a boom and now commonplace of the last 10-12 + years, whereas no one seems to question the quality or the source.

BANGKOK, 17th May 2018 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has advised the general public to consume drinking water from dispensers with a quality assurance sticker that ensures contamination-free water.

The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Taweesak Lertprapan, said data from the inspection of drinking water dispensers in Bangkok shows that only 143 out of 6,329 vending machines have proper sales permit. Initial tests from simple contamination detection kits reveal that 4,731 out of 6,302 machines are not contaminated, with results pending for other samples.

He has said 90 percent of the samples are expected to pass the contamination test, while the general public should consume water from quality assured dispensers that have a BMA issued sticker on it along with a QR code that can be scanned to show a guide on how to look out for a good water vending machine.

Owners of unauthorized machines are requested to contact local district offices to properly obtain the permit. Failure to do so will result in up to six months imprisonment, or up to 50,000 baht fine, or both.